Funny Girl, With Sher at Helm, Aimed for Broadway Revival

[illuminate the night]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:16pm

"“Funny Girl,” the hit 1964 musical about Fanny Brice that helped cement Barbra Streisand as a star, is expected to have its first Broadway revival in the spring of 2012 under the direction of Bartlett Sher (“South Pacific”), the producer Bob Boyett said in a telephone interview on Tuesday."
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/funny-girl-with-sher-at-helm-aimed-for-broadway-revival/

Updated On: 6/8/10 at 03:16 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:19pm

Of course this is being revived with Lea Michele in mind, which I think is a great idea.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:23pm

The producers' comments about Lea Michelle were deflective at best. Also, isn't she a little pretty for Fanny? Ah, well...it's not something I would go see anyway.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:26pm

I am so pleased about this!!!! I don't know, Jordan. That response sounded pretty diplomatic to me. I wouldn't be shocked if Sher went with someone a little older than Lea. He will look for someone who is capable of playing young Fanny and then an older version as the show goes on. On the bright side, I don't expect this to be full of stunt casting the way the rumored Encores version would be.

[newintown]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:27pm

Yes, I'm not aware that she's known for her brilliant comic skills, but she is known for singing "Don't Rain on My Parade" note-for-note identically to the film version.

Someone once thought Velveeta and Spam were good ideas, too, but synthetic imitation will always be synthetic imitation.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:27pm

With Sher at the helm, it is a guarantee that the casting will be appropriate. However -- even though he is my favorite director -- he does seem an odd choice for this...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:27pm

In 2012, she'll be 2 years older than she is now. It's a role she wants to play badly and at this point I'm almost positive it will be her name above the marquee.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:29pm

If they go with a young Fanny, I'd love to see Ana Gasteyer as her mother.

[wicked1492]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:29pm

After his genious direction of SOUTH PACIFIC, I'm excited to see what he'll do with FUNNY GIRL. I honestly wish he could've directed the other revivals this season (not LA CAGE or RAGTIME). He could've done wonders with NIGHT MUSIC and BYE BYE BIRDIE.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:31pm

Sher has been at work on the show for about six months now. I can assure you he will produce a stellar product.

People can stop dreaming about (the absurdly miscast) Lea Michele having anything to do with this project. She'd never be able to commit to a six week out of town engagement followed by a year on Broadway with her television schedule. And this certainly isn't being revived with her "in mind" either, as Boyett has held the rights to the show for over a decade.

Here's hoping Leslie Kritzer finally gets her due. Anyone who saw her in the Paper Mill production (which Boyett attempted to move to Broadway prior to September 11th) knows no one can do this role quite like she can.

Updated On: 6/8/10 at 03:31 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:31pm

Jordan, that's also assuming Glee is no longer on television at that point. Just because it's a role SHE wants to play badly doesn't mean Bart wants her doing it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:32pm

Well we have TWO YEARS to argue over who will be in this.

[newintown]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:33pm

Kritzer would be my favorite choice. Nancy Anderson would be funny, but not vocally right. Can Heidi Blickenstaff be really funny?

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:34pm

This doesn't seem like the world's most natural fit, but he's a great director. I'm sure that he'll give us a fresh take on the show. I hope that they'll add in "My Man". I think that it's a super ending to a reprise of "Don't Rain on my Parade". Lea Michele has a three year contract with Glee. That' would keep her busy until at least spring 2012, yes? They should go with an unknown or a lesser known broadway actress. Worked last time...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:34pm

Anything can happen in 2 years time. I'm more curious who the "Hollywood types" are who have apparently expressed interest.

I imagine the role will probably eventually go to Kelli O'Hara.

[wicked1492]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:35pm

Can Heidi be funny? Is the Pope Catholic?

She's too old for Fanny though, as much as I'd love to see that.

[nealb1]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:35pm

Stephanie Block............

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:36pm

I will be very disappointed if Lea Michele winds up playing Fanny...I really don't think she's a good enough actress or enough of a ham to pull it off. However, I think Leslie Kritzer would be fantastic in the role.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:36pm

"Stephanie Block..........."

That's not even funny to joke about.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:37pm

I saw Kritzer at the Papermill, and while she was good, I'd rather see someone new (to me) cast on Broadway. I think Nicole Parker warrants serious consideration.

[wicked1492]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:38pm

OOOO. I like the Nicole Parker idea. Stephanie Block...homegirl can't act her way out of a box.

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:39pm

"I imagine the role will probably eventually go to Kelli O'Hara"
That's a joke right? She's gorgeous, and so not funny in a Fanny Brice way.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:39pm

LEA MICHELLE?

I do NOT understand what people see in this girl. Her voice is nasally when she tries to "belt." Her version of "Don't Rain on My Parade" is like nails on a chalkboard. Awful.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:40pm

You better hope Lea's not reading this message board, fags.

[newintown]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:41pm

And we're all ignoring Sean Hayes.